| Petrified Forest National Park | |
Things to Do:
To make the most of your visit to Petrified Forest National Park, stop at the Painted Desert Visitor Center just off I-40 to get oriented and watch a 20-minute introductory film. Then continue along the park road, stopping at the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark, a pueblo-like structure with exhibits on cultural history. Along the 28-mile park road are overlooks, entries to hiking trails and the wilderness area trailhead. Near the southern end of the park, the Rainbow Forest Museum features exhibits on petrified wood, geology, and paleontology. Driving non-stop, through the park, takes 45 minutes. The average length of stay is 2 hours but remaining all day is also common. The park is locked at night and visitors must be in their cars and driving towards an exit at closing time.
A variety of ranger programs are offered on a year-round basis with increased numbers during the summer. A program schedule is displayed at visitor contact areas. With advanced notice the park also has several programs for school groups. Call for additional information.
Note: The removal of petrified wood or other features of the park is prohibited by law. Gift shops sell petrified wood that comes from private land, outside the park. No petrified wood is removed legally from the park.